Search form

Media pick Pac-12 favorite, preseason team

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - In a polling of media who cover Pac-12 women’s basketball, STANFORD was selected the preseason favorite to win the league crown in 2013-14. The Cardinal received all but 12 first-place votes for 166 points. CALIFORNIA was second in the polling with two first-place votes and 156 points, followed by COLORADO with 129 points to round out the top three. Media members also selected a five player preseason All-Pac-12 teams that features three seniors and a pair of juniors representing four teams.

Earning a spot on the preseason all-conference team was Stanford senior Chiney Ogwumike (Cypress, Texas), the returning Pac-12 Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Ogwumike was named to the Associated Press’ Preseason All-America squad today, as well. Ogwumike was a unanimous choice for both teams.

Joining Ogwumike on the preseason all-conference squad are Cal’s Gennifer Brandon (Sylmar, Calif.) and Brittany Boyd (Berkeley, Calif.). Both were All-Pac-12 selections after leading the Golden Bears to the program’s first-ever Pac-12 regular-season title.

WASHINGTON’s Jazmine Davis (San Jose, Calif.) was the Husky’s leading scorer last season, averaging 19.3 points per game and was the 2011 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. USC’s Cassie Harberts (San Clemente, Calif.) had a breakout season in 2012-13, tallying 18.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Stanford, California and Colorado all represented the Pac-12 in the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinal claimed a seventh-straight league tournament crown, while the Golden Bears advanced to the program’s first-ever NCAA Women’s Final Four. The Buffs welcome back 2013 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Arielle Roberson (San Antonio, Texas), who led the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2004.

The Huskies were fourth in the polling with 122 points. UW’s fifth-place finish in the Conference standings last year was its best since 2007. NCAA Tournament participant UCLA came in fifth with 112 points, followed by USC (99), which is under the direction of first-year head coach and Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper.

In seventh place in the balloting was UTAH, who advanced to the WNIT Championship game last year, with 79 points; with OREGON STATE posting 64 points for eighth; and ARIZONA STATE grabbed 62 points for ninth. In 10th was WASHINGTON STATE (50), while OREGON was tabbed to finish 11th (27) and ARIZONA (21) was 12th.

The 2013-2014 regular season tips off Friday, Nov. 8. The Pac-12 Basketball Tournament takes place March 6-9, 2013 in Seattle at Key Arena.